Amazon Failure Fuels State Senate GOP

The Associated Press

Minority Republicans in the state Senate have used the unveiling of their business revitalization plan to hammer the chamber's Democrats for Amazon's failed New York City deal.

Senate GOP Leader John Flanagan, of Long Island, said Wednesday that the chamber's majority party "blew" at least 25,000 jobs by opposing the internet retailer's plans to build one of its second headquarters in Queens.

Two weeks ago, Amazon pulled out of the deal that would've had the Seattle-based company redevelop a Long Island City site in exchange for $3 billion in state and New York City incentives. Influential Democrats in Albany and the city opposed the deal.

Flanagan made his comments at the Capitol as he and fellow GOP lawmakers released a jobs plan they say will boost the economy and help middle-class families.